Former Notre Dame running back Julius Jones signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks Friday. The signing could mean the end of the Shaun Alexander era in Seattle and could mean more playing time for Jones who had his worst season as a pro in 2007.

Jones’ agent did not return phone messages today and the Seahawks’ policy is not to comment before contracts are signed and approved. ESPN.com reported it is a four-year agreement that will average about $3 million per season.

Jones is the second running back Seattle has signed this week. Seattle agreed to terms with T.J. Duckett on a multiyear contract earlier.

The immediate question is what this move means for Shaun Alexander, the franchise’s leading rusher who was the league MVP in 2005. Alexander has seen his rushing average decline in consecutive years and he is scheduled to make $4 million next season. (Seattle Times)

And a little more on the signing:

The obvious thought is that this signals the release of Shaun Alexander, who is coming off two injury-interrupted seasons and will turn 31 in August. But that is not necessarily the case. Not yet anyway.

Jones has been told that he will compete for the starting job, and the size of his contract does not indicate that the Seahawks are giving him the starting job. (Seattle PI)

After breaking 1,000 yards for the first time in 2006, Jones saw his role reduced with the emergence of Marion Barber in Dallas. Jones tallied just 588 yards in 2007 and found the end zone a career low 2 times.

Here’s a little YouTube fun of one of Jones’ more memorable plays in a Notre Dame uniform.

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